Townsend has enjoyed a regular run of games at White Hart Lane of late - mainly thanks to Erik Lamela's injury.

And the 23-year-old has been quoted as saying that a game every three days is 'perfect,' as he aims to play every match for Tottenham.

"We have a big squad and we all want to be playing games. A game every three days is perfect for me and if I’m selected again on Saturday hopefully I’ll put in another performance, score another goal and put us through in the FA Cup," Townsend told Spurs' official site.

"I’m not complaining of tiredness and no-one in the changing room will be either."

The Tottenham winger showed signs that he could develop into a useful squad member when he set up Christian Eriksen's winner against Sunderland last weekend.

Against Sheffield United, however, Townsend appeared to return to his normal self. There was the usual cutting inside and doing nothing with the ball, as well as shooting any footballer would rather forget.

In his defence, he does - and did - take a mean penalty. But, when Lamela returns to full fitness, the 23-year-old faces a tough battle on his hands if he truly does intend to start every game he can for Spurs.

Tim Poole

Tim Poole is a sports journalist for HITC with a love of football, tennis and snooker in particular.His career to date has seen him speak to former Manchester United boss David Moyes, interview snooker world champion Mark Selby and be snubbed by Premier League managers and players in more than one language!He is a massive Roger Federer fan and lives by the motto that 'sport is life.' When he's not writing about it, he's playing it, be it football, tennis, basketball, badminton, table tennis, darts, snooker, golf or even water polo. He is better at some than others...